For the first of its kind in the entire country, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Foundation has entered into an agreement with private parties under community nature conservancy in 104 acres private land.
The land falls in buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and is one of the prime corridors for tiger movement and for dispersal The famous waterhole Budukdev also falls in this private land. Hence proper protection and wildlife management will be done by the administration.
The private parties allow their land without cultivation or any damage to the land and allow free wildlife movement. The habitat management and wildlife conservation will be done by Forest Department.
The land holders will be compensated by giving Rs 5,000 per acre for not cultivating or damaging the land and allowing wildlife to prosper in their land. The land holders may get additional benefit due to some small eco-tourism activity or stay facility on the land after tripartiate agreement between land holders, foundation and private eco-tourism investor.
N R Praveen, Chief Conservator of Forest, Chandrapur, informed The Live Nagpur on Thursday that the private parties would not cultivate on their lands while the department will undertake wildlife management in 104 acres. This land will be in addition to 625 sq km core area and 1102 sq km buffer area of the reserve that will be used in the interest of wild animals, Praveen pointed out.
